Augmented Velocity Hydro-Electric Turbine Generator

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an augmented velocity hydraulic power generator comprised of an induced vortex in combination with other fluid velocity enhancement techniques to maximize power output enabling a minimal apparatus size and minimal or no environmental impact.

This invention provides an augmented velocity hydraulic power generator comprised of an induced vortex in combination with other fluid velocity enhancement techniques to maximize power output enabling a minimal apparatus size and minimal or no environmental impact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The standard approach to hydro electric power generator focuses either on a large rotor diameter or on a large altitude change in order to maximize the power output. The resulting environmental impacts are therefore typically enormous and the initial installation is both prohibitively expensive and requires a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an improved hydro electric turbine power generator characterized by an augmented water velocity allowing the apparatus to remain small in size.

In the invention, the apparatus operates to augment the fluid velocity by:

-   -   a. Inducing a vortex through a combination of spiraling helixes.     -   b. A shrouded turbine casing.     -   c. A central cone and tube.

The apparatus further includes a rotor set in motion by the relative velocity of the induced fluid vortex.

The apparatus includes a stator affixed to the turbine casing.

A preferred embodiment of this invention positions the central cone inside the turbine's casing and prolongs said cone by a tube parallel to said casing.

Embodiments of this invention may include shaping the central cone and tube in a half or full prolate spheroid.

It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to generate the induced vortex with a spiraling helix located on the inner side of the turbine's casing and shroud and on the outer side of the central cone and tube.

Embodiments of this invention may include adjustments to the apparatus components' dimensions, proportions, and angles to optimize fluid velocity and power output.

The apparatus further includes means to maintain it at specific depth and placement in the flow through a combination of ballast, buoyancy tanks, tethers, and fins.

An embodiment of this invention may include use of lightweight construction materials such as plastics.

Embodiments of this invention may include modular expansions such as:

-   -   a. A second turbine apparatus affixed to the rotor diametrically         opposite to the first apparatus.     -   b. Multiple apparatus or sections thereof, linked sequentially.     -   c. Multiple apparatus or sections thereof, positioned parallely.

Preferred embodiments of the invention include features to minimize or eliminate the environmental impact such as:

-   -   a. A small apparatus size compared to the industry's average         obtained through the focus of enhanced fluid velocity.     -   b. Protection grilles to deflect wildlife.

While the invention has been described in detail with specific reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Side view of an embodiment of the invention showing a shroud, turbine casing, stator and rotor.

FIG. 2: Oblique view of an embodiment of the invention showing a shroud, turbine casing, stator and rotor along with a central cone and a spiraling helix located on the inner side of the turbine's casing.

FIG. 3: Vertical view of a section of an embodiment of the invention showing a shroud, turbine casing, stator and rotor along with a central cone, central tube, a spiraling helix located on the outer side of said central cone and tube, and a spiraling helix located on the inner side of the turbine's casing.

FIG. 4: Oblique view of an embodiment of the invention with adjusted components' dimensions, proportions, and angles showing a shroud, turbine casing, stator and rotor, along with a central cone and a spiraling helix located on the inner side of the turbine's casing. 

1. A hydro power turbine generator for generating electrical power from water flow characterized by an augmented water velocity through: a. An induced vortex; b. A shrouded turbine casing; c. A central cone and tube; d. A rotor set in motion by the relative velocity of the induced vortex; e. A stator affixed to the turbine casing;
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said induced vortex is generated by a spiraling helix located on the inner side of the turbine's casing.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 including provisions for a spiraling helix to be located on the inner side of the shroud.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said central cone is prolonged by a tube parallel to said casing and are located inside the turbine's casing.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said central cone and tube can have the shape of a half or full prolate spheroid.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said induced vortex is generated by a spiraling helix wherein located on the outer side of said central cone and tube.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dimensions, proportions, and angles of the components may be adjusted to optimize fluid velocity and power output.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 including means to enable buoyancy.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1 including means to anchor it to the bottom through one or more tethers.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1 including means to optimize its placement in the flow.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 including provisions to use lightweight construction materials such as plastics.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 including provisions for modular expansion where: a. A second turbine apparatus can be affixed to the rotor diametrically opposite to the first apparatus; b. Multiple apparatus or sections thereof can be linked sequentially, positioned parallely, or arranged in other relevant combinations;
 13. The apparatus according to claim 1 including features to minimize or eliminate the environmental impact such as: a. A small apparatus size; b. Protection grilles to deflect wildlife; 